Yearbooks

Programme: Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice [BCMP]

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.
Code Faculty Department
10130012 Faculty of Health Sciences Department: Family Medicine
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 3 years Total credits: 428 NQF level:  07

Programme information

The integrated outcomes-based, problem-oriented degree programme consists of theoretical modules and clinical rotations.

Admission requirements

Important information for all prospective students for 2023

The admission requirements below apply to all who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications

    University of Pretoria website click here

    Minimum requirements

    Achievement level

    English Home Language or English First Additional Language

    Mathematics

    Physical Sciences or Life Sciences

    APS

    NSC/IEB

    NSC/IEB

    NSC/IEB

    4

    4

    4

    28

    For advice on a second-choice programme, please consult a Student Advisor. To make an appointment, send an email to [email protected].

     

    Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to the Brochure: Undergraduate Programme Information 2023: Qualifications other than the NSC and IEB, available at click here.

    International Students: Click here 

     

    Important faculty-specific information on undergraduate programmes for 2023

    The closing date for all selection programmes is 30 June 2022.  Applicants are strongly advised and encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible after 1 April 2022 and to check the application site (UP Student Portal) regularly.

    • The following persons will be considered for admission: a candidate who is in possession of a certificate that is deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required National Senior Certificate (NSC) with university endorsement; a candidate who is a graduate from another tertiary institution or has been granted the status of a graduate of such an institution; a candidate who is a graduate of another Faculty at the University of Pretoria; and a candidate who is currently studying at a university.
    • Admission to Health Sciences programmes is subject to a selection process.
    • Grade 11 final examination results will be used for the conditional selection of prospective students.
    • For selection purposes, the sum of the results in six subjects, including English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences or Life Sciences, is calculated.
    • Life Orientation is excluded in the calculation of the Admission Point Score (APS).
    • All modules will be presented in English, as English is the language of tuition, communication and correspondence.
    • Places are reserved in specific categories to ensure an equitable representation of demographically defined designated groups. Selection thus takes place in different categories.
    • For purposes of selection in the Faculty of Health Sciences, the “Designated Group” category includes South African Black African or South African Coloured African candidates. The “Open” category refers to all applicants including applicants from the Designated Group who compete first in the Open category and then in the Designated Group category if unsuccessful in the Open category.
    • Target numbers are specified for all categories as applicable to each programme. Where insufficient applications are received from qualifying applicants in a certain category, the selection committee may decide not to fill all places or to fill the places from qualifying applicants in another category.
    • A limited number of places are made available to citizens from countries other than South Africa (applicants who are not South African citizens), with those from SADC countries being given preference. Permanent residents of RSA are not categorised as foreign students. Applications from citizens from countries other than South Africa  (applicants who are not South African citizens) may also be considered if they are
      • citizens or permanent residents of countries which have relevant government to government agreements with South Africa
      • asylum seekers or refugees
    • Citizens from countries other than South Africa (applicants who are not South African citizens) who do not comply with the conditions above may be considered if space is available.
    • If an applicant has multiple citizenships, which includes South African citizenship, he/she will be considered as a South African applicant.
    • The final number of places allocated to new applicants will be determined on an annual basis taking into account the teaching facilities and resources available and, where necessary, the number of places allocated to students repeating modules in the first year of study of each degree programme.
    • Only applicants who comply with the requirements set out in this document will be considered for selection. However, the achievement of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as only a limited number of students can be accommodated.
    • Selection is based on merit. The faculty does not determine specific selection cut-off values for the different categories. Such values are generated by the competing students within a particular category in relation to the number of places available.
    • A Merit Point Score (MPS) is used for ranking applicants for selection purposes in all programmes. In certain programmes other criteria such as rural residence may be used as part of the selection process.
    • Only first-choice applicants will be considered, except where otherwise specified, in which case second-choice candidates may be considered if there are places available.
    • The top candidates will be selected provisionally up to or surpassing the allocated number, based on experience of the expected number of acceptances. A waiting list is created from the group of candidates with the next highest scores. The length of the waiting list is determined by experience of the number of places likely to become available and to prevent creating unrealistic expectations.
    • All offers are provisional until the final exam results have been received. For applicants in the School leaver categories a provisional place will be confirmed as long as the NSC or equivalent scores do not fall by more than two points from the Grade 11 APS score.
    • After the final NSC or equivalent qualification results are received, provisional offers will be confirmed if the applicant still meets the required criteria. The MPS of those on the waiting list will be recalculated using the NSC or equivalent qualification results and if places become available they will be made offers.
    • Places becoming available in any category after selection due to cancellation or forfeiture will be filled from the waiting list for the specific category.
    • This waiting list will remain active until the end of the second week after the start of lectures.
    • All successful candidates are admitted to the first year of study only. Registered students in the University Experienced categories may apply for credit for equivalent modules which they have completed.
    • Incomplete applications will not be considered and any false information provided by an applicant in his/her application may result in immediate cancellation of the application, admission or registration.
    • Candidates should note that their conditional admission will be revoked if their APS drops by more than two points in their final school examination results.
    • PLEASE NOTE that compliance with the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to any programme in this Faculty.
    • Selection queries may be directed to click here.
    • A student who is made an offer but does not accept it cannot defer the offer and must reapply to be considered in the following year.

     

    Transferring students

    A transferring student is a student who, at the time of applying at the University of Pretoria (UP)is/was a registered student at another tertiary institution. A transferring student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance. Students who have been dismissed from other institutions due to poor academic performance will not be considered for admission to UP.

    Closing dates: Same as above

     

    Returning students

    A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme is/was a registered student at UP, and wants to transfer to another degree at UP. A returning student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance.

    • Students who have been excluded/dismissed from a faculty due to poor academic performance may be considered for admission to another programme at UP, as per faculty-specific requirements.
    • Only ONE transfer between UP faculties and TWO transfers within a faculty will be allowed.
    • Admission of returning students will always depend on the faculty concerned and the availability of space in the programmes for which they apply.

    Closing date for applications from returning students is the same as the above

    Additional requirements

    Also consult the General Academic Regulations. G1 – G15.

    • Each student must apply to the Registrar of the Health Professions Council of South Africa for registration as a clinical associate student, immediately after admission to the first year of study.
    • After obtaining the degree, graduates must also register as clinical associates with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

    Other programme-specific information

    Please note: Third year of study

    • Attendance and continuous assessments for some modules will be either 1st semester or 2nd semester depending on rotation arrangements.
    • Marks obtained in the clinical rotations are taken into account when calculating the relevant module marks.

    Examinations and pass requirements

    1. In accordance with the stipulations of the General Academic Regulations a year, semester or quarter mark of at least 40% is required for admission to the examination in all undergraduate modules in the University where year, semester and quarter marks apply. Adequate attendance at (more than 90%) and active participation in prescribed clinical activities as recorded in the clinical logbook are required for admission to the examination.
    2. A final module mark in the relevant module is, however, calculated from the module examination mark as well as the module mark compiled from continuous evaluation during the presentation of the module (i.e. the semester, year or module mark). The latter is calculated from the marks obtained in one or more of the undermentioned:
    1. Evaluations of theoretical knowledge.
    2. Evaluations of clinical knowledge and skills.
    3. Compulsory attendance at and participation in prescribed activities.
    4. Compulsory attendance at all academic support activities for the first two years of study.
    1. The contribution of each modality in the calculation of the abovementioned mark is set out in the regulations and published in the study guides. The details are explained to the students concerned before commencement of the modules. Likewise, the weight (50:50) allocated to the abovementioned marks and the various examination marks when calculating the final module mark awarded to the student. The importance of continuous evaluation in the assessment of students is non-negotiable, and therefore the marks awarded in this type of evaluations will form part of the final pass mark of all modules.
    2. A student repeating the first or second year of study will retain credit for Clinical Medical Practice modules passed previously, subject to the following:
    1. The student will be required to participate adequately in the current year in the clinical component of all Clinical Medical Practice modules in order to maintain a specified level of clinical skills and be required to record such activities in an appropriate clinical logbook.
    2. Compliance with (s) is a requirement for the admission to subsequent CMP modules.
    3. In order to comply with the requirements for (a), the extent of involvement of students in successfully completed modules is determined by the relevant course coordinator, at the commencement of the year, and agreed with the student(s) concerned.

    Passing a module in the BClinical Medical Practice degree programme

    1. A module mark is calculated from the continuous evaluation opportunities during the course of the presentation of the module in question. These evaluations shall include one or more of the following:
    1. Evaluations regarding theoretical knowledge.
    2. Evaluations regarding clinical knowledge and skills.
    3. Compulsory attendance at and active participation in prescribed activities.
    4. Compulsory attendance at all academic support activities for the first two years of study.
    1. Students may exercise the option to have the module mark at the end of the year validated as the final module mark for the module in question (i.e. they are exempted from the module examination for this module), provided that they comply with the following requirements:
    1. The abovementioned module mark is more than 65% in all the different module assessments.
    2. Proven attendance at all applicable module-specific activities, namely:
    • All tests/continuous evaluations.
    • All practicals and morning ward-round activities.
    • All relevant skills laboratory activities.
    • All relevant community-based education activities.
    • All clinical rotations.
    1. A pass mark in the clinical rotation test.
    2. Attendance at the module in question from day 1.
    3. No conviction by the Faculty Preliminary Disciplinary Committee (Student offences) of any form of dishonesty or fraud.
    1. A module examination is granted to all registered students regardless of the module mark, subject to adequate attendance (hours of clinical training) at and active participation in prescribed clinical activities (patients seen and procedures conducted) as set out in the relevant study guide and recorded in the clinical logbook of Clinical Medical Practice modules. 
    2. Any student without adequate attendance at and active participation in prescribed clinical activities as set out in the relevant study guide and recorded in the applicable clinical logbook will fail the Clinical Medical Practice module in question even if the student wrote and passed the module examination.
    3. The final module mark is calculated from the module examination mark and the module mark (continuous evaluation) in a 50:50 ratio, depending on the year of study and/or module-specific regulations. The formula according to which the final module mark is calculated will be set out in the study guide and communicated to students at the commencement of the programme.
    4. In order to pass in a module, a subminimum of 40% is required in the written section of the module examination. In order to pass in a module in which a clinical component is included, a subminimum of 50% in the clinical component of the module examination is also required.
    5. A second examination in a module will be granted to all students who fail the module in question.
    6. As a rule, the second examination in question will take place in November/ December of the same year, or in January of the following year. A minimum of 50% is required in order to pass in the second examination.
    7. A special examination granted to a student who could not participate in the module examination due to illness or other acceptable reasons, will take place during the supplementary examination period. Students must apply formally for such an examination, and admission to the examination is approved by the Chairperson of the School or his/her authorised representative. Where applicable, the Chairperson of the School may first require a recommendation from the Faculty Health Committee before approving an application for admission to a special examination.

    All modalities of a final examination must be completed jointly as an aegrotat or an extraordinary examination, even if part of it has already been completed as part of the examination sat in the previous examination period. The final module mark is calculated from the marks of all the divisions/modalities of the aegrotat or extraordinary examination and the module mark in question (continuous evaluation mark). The same criteria set for a final mark in a module, are applicable in this case.

    Note: No special dates will be arranged for special examinations. These examinations will only take place on the scheduled dates for regular standard/supplementary examinations.

    1. Special tests are not allowed for the BClinical Medical Practice degree programme. However, students who have acceptable reasons for being absent from no more than one test will have a module mark calculated from the other continuous assessment opportunities.  Students who have acceptable reasons for being absent from more than one test will, of course, have no module mark, and a pass in the module(s) will depend totally upon the module examination mark.

    Academic exclusion from further study

    1. In accordance with the stipulations of the General Academic Regulations, re-registration of a student is permitted only if the student completes the degree programme for which he or she is registered within the prescribed minimum period of study plus one year.
    2. In the case of the BClinical Medical Practice degree offered by the School of Medicine, a student who fails a year of study for a second time must apply, in writing, to the Readmission Committee of the School, chaired by the chairperson of the School, for readmission to the programme.
    3. The committee in question will take all factors into consideration and its decision and conditions will be final.

    Promotion to next study year

    (i) Failed candidates/Admission to the second semester of the first year of study
    Selected first-year students, who have passed a sufficient number of prescribed first-semester modules at 100 level will, in accordance with the stipulations of the General Academic Regulations, automatically be admitted to the second semester of the first year of study.

    (ii) Failed candidates/Admission to the second year of study
    (aa) First-year students who have passed all prescribed core modules at 100 level will, in accordance with the stipulations of the General Academic Regulations, automatically be admitted to the second year of study.
    (bb) A student who has failed any one or more of the 100-level core modules will have to repeat those modules failed before he/she will be admitted to the second year of study.
    (cc) Also consult Academic exclusion from further study in respect of a student studying for the BClinical Medical Practice degree, who fails a year of study for a second time.

    (iii) Failed candidates/Admission to the second semester of the second year of study
    Second-year students who have passed a sufficient number of prescribed first-semester modules at 200 level will, in accordance with the stipulations of the General Academic Regulations, automatically be admitted to the second semester of the second year of study.

    (iv) Failed candidates/Admission to the third year of study
    (aa) Second-year students who have passed all prescribed first- and second-semester modules at 200 level will, in accordance with the stipulations of the General Academic Regulations, automatically be admitted to the third year of study.
    (bb) A student who has failed any one or more of the 200-level modules, will have to repeat those module(s) failed before he/she will be admitted to the third year of study.
    (cc) Also consult Academic exclusion from further study in respect of a student studying for the BClinical Medical Practice degree, who fails a year of study for a second time.

    (v) Failed candidates/Academic exclusion from further study
    Consult Faculty regulations in respect of a student who does not complete the degree programme within the prescribed minimum period of study plus one year.

    Pass with distinction

    The degree is conferred with distinction on a student who has obtained an average of at least 75% in all the modules of the third year of study (not rounded).

    General information

    University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project

    The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.

    Minimum credits: 128

    Fundamental modules

    Core modules

    • Module content:

      Systemic clinical anatomy: cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, urogenital, eye, ear nose and throat, nervous, musculoskeletal, skin and endocrine systems.
      Surface and regional anatomy confined to specific diagnostic, therapeutic and emergency procedures.

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    • Module content:

      Introduction to the Faculty of Health Sciences, curriculum and cultural differences.  Basic theory and skills in respect of health assessment and physical examination, health promotion and disease prevention by means of  self-regulated learning and practical sessions in the hospital and skills laboratory.  A problem-oriented and interdisciplinary approach is emphasised.

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    • Module content:

      Basic theory and skills in respect of health assessment and physical examination, health promotion and disease prevention of the cardio/peripheral, reticulo-endothelial, respiratory, gastro-intersinal, genito-urinary, central nervous system, head, neck, eye, ear, nose, throat, musculo-skeletal, endocrine, dermatological systems by means of  group discussion, self-tuition and practical sessions in the hospital and skills laboratory.   A problem-oriented and interdisciplinary approach is emphasised.

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    • Module content:

      Introductory principles to clinical pharmacotherapy.  Pharmacotherapy and applicable clinical aspects of the most general and prominent diseases and conditions.

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    • Module content:

      Introduction to Physiology, homeostasis and body fluids, cell physiology, haematology and immunology, cardiovascular system, respiration, neurophysiology and senses, gastrointestional physiology and nutrition, kidneys, endocrinology, reproduction, skin and body temperature.

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    Minimum credits: 138

    Core modules

    • Module content:

      Basic theory and skills in respect of the health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of cardio/peripheral, vascular, reticulo-endothelial, endocrine, respiratory, genito-urinary and gastro-intestinal systems by means of group discussions, self-tuition and practical sessions in the hospital and skills laboratory. A problem-oriented and interdisciplinary approach is emphasised. Emphasis is placed on the diagnosis and treatment of the most prominent conditions as well as the acquiring of practical and clinical skills.

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    • Module content:

      Basic theory and skills in respect of the health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the  central nervous system, head, neck, eye, ear, nose, throat, skin and musculo-skeletal systems by means of group discussions, self-tuition and practical sessions in the hospital and skills laboratory. A problem-oriented and interdisciplinary approach is emphasised. Emphasis is placed on the diagnosis and treatment of the most prominent conditions as well as the acquiring of practical and clinical skills.

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    • Module content:

      Clinical pharmacotherapeutics including indications, contra-indications, side-effects and interactions of commonly prescribed medicines in South Africa. Rational prescribing and critique of prescriptions.

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    Minimum credits: 162

    Core modules

    • Module content:

      Study of healthcare systems with emphasis on district health systems.

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    • Module content:

      Theory and skills in respect of the health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting women by means of group discussions, self-tuition and practical sessions in the hospital and skills laboratory.  A problem-oriented and interdisciplinary approach is emphasised.  Emphasis is placed on the diagnosis and treatment of the most prominent conditions as well as the acquiring of practical and clinical skills.

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    • Module content:

      Basic theory and skills in respect of the health promotion, disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of children by means of group discussions, self-tuition and practical sessions in the hospital and skills laboratory.  A problem-oriented and interdisciplinary approach is emphasised.  Emphasis is placed on the diagnosis and treatment of the most prominent conditions as well as the acquiring of practical and clinical skills.

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    • Module content:

      Theory and skills training in basic emergency care.

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    • Module content:

      Theory and skills in respect of the disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases by means of group discussions, self-tuition and practical sessions in the hospital and skills laboratory.  A problem-oriented and interdisciplinary approach is emphasised.  Emphasis is placed on the diagnosis and treatment of the most prominent conditions as well as the acquiring of practical and clinical skills.

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    • Module content:

      An introduction to the underlying principles of the theory and practice of anaesthesiology applicable to the clinical associate practice.

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    • Module content:

      Theory and skills in respect of the disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems by means of lectures, seminars, self-tuition and practical sessions in the hospital and skills laboratory.  A problem-oriented and interdisciplinary approach is emphasised.  Emphasis is placed on the diagnosis and treatment of the most prominent conditions as well as the acquiring of practical and clinical skills.

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    • Module content:

      Theory and skills in respect of the disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment of orthopaedic diseases and problems by means of group discussions, self-tuition and practical sessions in the hospital and skills laboratory.  A problem-oriented and interdisciplinary approach is emphasised.  Emphasis is placed on the diagnosis and treatment of the most prominent conditions as well as the acquiring of practical and clinical skills.

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    • Module content:

      Clinical pharmacotherapeutics including indications, contra-indications, side-effects and interactions of commonly prescribed medicines in South Africa. Rational prescribing and critique of prescriptions.

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    Regulations and rules
    The regulations and rules for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information.

    The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations) and General Student Rules apply to all faculties and registered students of the University, as well as all prospective students who have accepted an offer of a place at the University of Pretoria. On registering for a programme, the student bears the responsibility of ensuring that they familiarise themselves with the General Academic Regulations applicable to their registration, as well as the relevant faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the relevant yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression, or basis for an exception to any of the aforementioned regulations.

    University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project
    The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.

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